Another Chunk of Not Blogging

Oh, blog ... how long it's been. I'm just not so good at this anymore. Am I busy? Not really. Lacking in things to say? Never. Lazy? Not really even that. I just haven't felt like sitting down and typing. Oddly, every time I do sit down and type I enjoy it, yet I don't seem to remember that's the case for more than 30 seconds afterwards though. So anyway, it's been awhile.

What's been happening?

Well I have been working a lot. I guess not necessarily more than usual, but work has been more of a shitshow than usual. I'm starting to hate it some. Busy, new routine, confusion ... it all leads to exhaustion and irritation. Neither of which are my friend.

I also had a little time off from the place of employment. A few weeks back I went to my parent's summer place in New York State. It was my annual venture there. Usually I gather up a posse of some sort but this year the turnout was a bit sparse due to shitty planning on my part and shitty weather on Mother Nature's part. It was still fun though. Hanging out, drinking, grilling, making fires, sleeping, etc.

The following week, I went out to Seattle for a friend's wedding. It was pretty damn good. Rainy, but good. I really like that town and the people who live there. A good overall vibe I think. I always say that yet never pack up my shit and move there. Dumb. One thing worth mentioning is these guys: Skillet Street Food. They were the peeps hired to do the food at the wedding and holy shit was it good. Tasty burgers w/fries, salmon over risotto, killer pulled pork, clam chowder ... my mouth waters just thinking about it. Honestly. It was great. Best wedding food I have ever had. I also saw some cool shit at the Seattle Aquarium and in the Underground Tour. It also should be noted that one day I went out to a happy hour, drank a bunch and proceeded to stay long enough that I was still there (and participated in) happy hour number two at the same bar. I didn't feel very awesome the next day, this much is for certain.

Since my return to The Cleve, I went on a bit of a concert binge. I saw three shows in nine days. Maybe that's not really a binge, but it was certainly ample. I saw Everlast, Rise Against and (hold on to your fucking head) Hanson. Yes, that Hanson. Oh, boy I have gotten a little odd in my old age.

Everlast was OK, but nothing great. Definitely a good entertainer. I just wasn't into his set.

Rise Against was good. More screaming/punkish than on their albums but that's certainly not a complaint as I like me some screaming. My only issue with that show was that it was overpriced as hell. I blame Live Nation, not Rise Against.

And Hanson. Honestly, Hanson was (were?) pretty impressive. If you could eliminate all of the screaming females it would be much more easily accepted by me and probably many others. But that screaming isn't going to go away. That's just part of the package I'm afraid. But despite that screaming they put on a good show, sound good and obviously have talent.

Not to be all abrupt or anything but I'm wrapping this up. I'm off to bed. Another fun-filled day of bullshit awaits tomorrow I'm sure. Perhaps I'll make this blog happen yet. Don't hold your breath, but keep the occasional eye out.

FAIRly Tasty (and totally unhealthy)

Last night, after work I went to the fair. It was the usual county fair fun -- animals, rednecks, mud, tractors, smells, rednecks, demolition derby action, rides, games, food, etc.

Let's talk about the food and my overindulging. My intake between the hours of 7pm and 11pm (in chronological order): French fries, BBQ elk sandwich, sausage w/peppers & onions, Dr Pepper, half a fried Oreo, elephant ear, lemonade.

I'm gross.

I dig this guy's shirt. Honestly.

At first I was thinking, "Not the crap I've been eating" but even crappy fair food comes from farmers. Potatoes, elk, onions, peppers, wheat, lemons, etc. Farmers!

Drag Style

Yesterday, despite the near ninety degree heat I hit up for some rides, rides and more rides at Cedar Point. I love me some roller coasters. A couple pissed off my stomach a bit, all of them made my head spin and I think it's safe to say that I probably came close to a hear attack a couple of times. Without a doubt, my favorite is Top Thrill Dragster, which I like to call Rocket Coaster. It's so fucking fast. 120MPH in 3.8ish seconds. I don't even know how to describe the fastness. It literally sucks the breath out of you and plasters you back against your seat. I pretty much find myself waiting to explode or implode or vaporize or something and then just as quickly as it started, it's over. And you're alive.

Awesome.

As you wait in line you see people at the end of the ride and more often than not they look at each other as the adrenaline fades, with a look of disbelief on their face. The disbelief that they are still alive I think. Then quickly they usually laugh of scream or high-five or whatever because they've fooled the grim reaper and are also slightly embarrassed at the idea that they briefly thought they were going to be dead.

Anyway, if you like going really fast and/or having the shit scared out of you hit yourself up some Rocket Coaster. I already want more.

Mmmmmm, Olympians

Let's talk about the Olympics for a moment. Not so much the Olympics in general as the hotness that can be involved.

Everyone is always oooohing and ahhhhing about Amanda Beard. Really? Why? She has a great swimmer's body, but so do most swimmers. Natalie Coughlin, for example. Beard's face is weird and she tries too hard. Makeup while swimming? Not that I would kick her out of bed, but come on. The hottest athlete? Get over it.

Anyway, I just had to get that out. Now, I'm sure I'm missing plenty of others who could make this list, but in passing (and that means not scouring the web or team rosters) the ladies I've seen this Olympics who I dig -- in no particular order, and for no legitimate reason:

Leryn Franco (Paraguay - track & field) - Jesus Christmas!

Hope Solo (USA - soccer) - She's a goalie. Hot and nuts. I like it.

Stephanie Rice (Australia - swimming) - You can't go wrong with Australian ladies. At least as far as I know. Again, I'm missing the big deal with Amanda Beard.

Jennie Finch (USA - softball) - I hate to be all hop on the bandwagon, but honestly, she is beautiful. And pitches like nobody's business too.

Allyson Felix - (USA - track & field) - Speedy and cute.

Natalie Coughlin - (USA - swimming) - see above rant about Beard.

Lolo Jones (USA - track & field) - She hit a hurdle and lost out on a gold, but medal or no, you can't beat that abs and smile combo.

These Germans (Germany - field hockey, kayak, sailing) - Winners!! Medals? I don't know. Maybe. I'm not sure I care.

Honorable mention is this gal who's not an Olympic athlete at all, but certainly makes the Olympics more enjoyable for all.

Phew. And that's the end of my being a pervert for the next few minutes.

Street View Sleeper

I don't know if this is true (who can ever tell with the Brits/Aussies?) but either way I love it: Mapped

Ageless Horns

Between beer, castles, Octoberfest, hot females and this photo I'm starting to think I belong in Germany: "... you can live the dream ..."

You never get old in Germany. Or at least you don't let getting old get in the way of rockin' out.

State of the Blah

My posting is really, really not happening. Some of it is being busy or tired or lazy, but I think a big part of it is in the back of my mind I am thinking "Who the fuck cares about your boring shit? You're in Cleveland with little drama or excitement or even odd interactions with strangers."

But today I was thinking about it, and honestly my NYC shit wasn't that interesting either. And I didn't give a fuck. I'd write about it anyway. Idiots, news, observations, etc. Just fucking type it up.

So, perhaps I'll just throw down my boring shit and see how this goes* for me and this lame blog.



*Purely theoretical. No promises that I'll actually do any of this.